Supersonic reflector mounting



Au, 22, 395 R. P. LANCHARD SUPERSONIC REFLECTOR MOUNTING;

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 1, 1946 unnum- F l G. 2 I

FIG.

nvvmron. RALPH F! BLANCHARD Quay ArroRM? Aug. 22, 1950 R. P. BLANCH-HARD 9 9 SUPERSONIC REFLECTOR MOUNTING Filed March 1, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. RALPH P. BLANC HARD ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 22, 1950 UNITED STATES PAT ENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as; amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) The invention described herein may'be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to supersonic reflector mountings, and more particularly to an adjustable mounting for a supersonic wave reflector.

Certain supersonic systems, simulating operation of radio echo detection systems, employ an oscillating crystal as asource of supersonic waves, and a reflector placed in the path of a beam of these waves. The reflector may be made of glass or any other suitable reflecting substance. The reflector may have its reflecting surface shaped to reproduce, in terms of a supersonic wave radiation: pattern, the electromagnetic radiation pattern as emanated from the antenna of a radio eche-detection system. Thus, the radiation pattern of the supersonic waves simulates the radiation pattern of the electromagnetic radiation system. Small movements of the reflector "position-result in a largechange in the relative position of the propagated beam of supersonic energy. Difliculty has been encountered, heretofore, in making minute adjustments in the position of the supersonicreflector, in relation tothe crystal, to cause the energy leaving the supersonic reflector to be oriented in a desired manner with respect to the crystal mounting and reflector which constitute the simulated antenna.

Similarly, oscillating crystals and reflectors may be used in supersonic delay lines, in which it is sometimes desirable to cause the energy to travel down the relay line along particular directions. This is especially true in those types of supersonic delay lines wherein the supersonic radiations are caused to impinge upon the sides of a chamber, usually mercury or water filled, and by reflection along predetermined paths (in billiard ball fashion) to have a predetermined time of travel from their source to the point of reception. Difiiculty has heretofore been encountered in obtaining an adjustment permitting minute variations in the angle at which the energy is directed, to afford maximum reception after travel along the desired path.

Therefore, among the objects of this invention are to provide adjustable means for changing the orientation of a supersonic wave reflector with respect to a supersonic energy source; and to provide such means which will aiiord easily accomplished minute adjustments.

Further objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become clear from the description contained herein when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a bottom view of a reflector mount and supersonic reflector illustrating an embodiment suitable for use in a radio echo detection simulation system;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the reflector mount with cover plate removed to expose details of internal structure;

- Fig. 3 isa view of the reflector mount in'p-erspective with certain parts cut away to show details of construction; and

Fig. 4 isanother view of the reflector mount in pers ective.

The illustrated embodiment includes means which allord two types of motion for adjustment of the reflector, and which alter the orientation of the emerging supersonic beam of energy by small-amounts. One type of motion is laterally with respect to the-crystal supplying the supersonic energy, and the other type is rotational about a pivotal point near the crystal.

Referring ncwmo-re particularly to Fig. 4, a holder ring 5 and thumbscrew 6 threaded therein are adapted to engage a crystal containing car-tridge 41, which is a source ofsupersonic energy. The crystal cartridge is inserted in the ring 5 and the screw 6 advanced to engage the cartridge firmly in the opening. The cartridge ii is inserted into the ring 5 from above. A narrow beam of supersonic energy from the crystal will then be directed downwardly against a reflector I through circular opening 8 in ring 5. Reflector 1 may have a curved surface (not visible in the figures) facing the opening, to direct the supersonic waves in a desired pattern upwardly and toward the right, in the view of Fig. 4. Reflector 1 is cemented to a reflector plate 9 which rides upon one face of a block ID, as shown.

A peripheral portion of ring 5 is provided with a plane surface H and a small projection l2 protruding therefrom. A slot l3 formed in block I0 receives projection 12, and the plane portion l l of ring 5 rides flush against a surface [4 of the block [0.

Through aligned holes formed in block I0, through slot I3 and through a suitably tapped and threaded hole in projection 12, extends a screw 15. The aligned holes retain screw I5 snugly, but permit threading motion of the screw. The shank l6 of screw I5 is of larger diameter than the portion extending through the aligned holes, and fits snugly against one side ll of block [0. A head l8 may be formed at the other 3 end of screw l5 as by riveting, or by screwing thereon a nut, as shown, which may be soldered into place after it has been drawn snugly against side I9 of block 10. Thus, screw is journaled at its ends to permit rotational motion only.

,A pin secured to plate 9 extends into a hole drilled in block l0, and a threaded pin 21 is secured to and extends from that surface of plate 9/ which rides against block I 0. A large aperture 28 is formed in block I0 to permit movement of a rider 30. Rider 38 is tapped to receive a screw 3| which rides in aligned slots milled in sides I! and IQ of block 10. Screw 3| is provided with an enlarged shank and knurled head at one end and a washer and nut at the other end, as in the case of screw I5. Screw 3| is thus constrained against all translational movements in block [0 except in an up and down direction. The threaded pin 21 secured to the reflecting plate 9 is journaled in a hole 32 formed in rider 30, and is provided with a nut 33 to constrain reflector plate 9 to ride against the surface I! of block H].

In operation, reflector I may be moved, relative to ring 5 and the supersonic crystal therein, in a direction parallel to plane portion I l of ring 5, by turning the knurled head of screw l5, causing this screw and the block l0 and reflector I mounted thereon to move laterally relative to the ring structure. .A rotational displacement may be given reflector 1 by turning the knurled head of screw 3|, which causes rider and pin 21 journaled therein to move back and "forth along screw 39. Screw 3| may move in the slots 40 provided therefor, as seen in Fig. 3, and thus permits rotation of plate 9 about pin' 25.

As it may be desirable to immerse the described supersonic reflector mounting in a liquid, it is preferably constructed of a material not afiected by the liquid and yet of sufficient mechanical strength. Brass, for example, has been found to be a suitable material for the described structure for use in water. It may be desirable, also, to provide a cover plate upon block [0 to enclose slot [3 and aperture 28. The cover plate may be secured in place by screws received by threaded holes 35, 36 and 31.

The supersonic reflector mounting here illustrated includes a baffle plate 38, secured to ring 4 5 as shown. Baffle plate 38 functions to eliminate undesired reflection paths of supersonic energy, particularly those between the liquid surface and the reflecting face of reflector 1.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that while there has been described what is at present considered a preferred embodiment of the invention, many variations are possible. Therefore, it is the purpose of the accompanying claim to include all such variations and. equivalents as fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

In a wave radiation system including a source of supersonic waves, the combination including a wave reflector, adjustable means for producing lateral displacement of said reflector, and adjustable means for producing rotational displacement of said reflector, said latter means comprising a mounting block jpierced by an elongated slot, a plate pivotally mounted relative to said block and carrying said reflector, a screw extending through said slot and movable therein laterally and rotationally relative to the axis of said screw, an internally threadedrider threaded upon said screw and. pivotally secured to said plate, means to prevent axial movement of said screw, whereby, upon rotation of said screw, said rider moves along said screw, and said screw moves laterally relative to its axis within said slot and said plate is caused to rotate relative to said block. I

- RALPH P. BI-LANCHARD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in' the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,562,950 Fessenden Nov. 24, 1925 1,786,264 Reed Dec. 23, 1930 1,969,037 Rieber Aug. 7, 1934 1,980,171 Amy Nov. 13, 1934 2,033,387 Ott June 4, 1935 2,387,440 Guelich et al Oct. 23, 1945 2,480,199 Rosenberg et al. Aug. 30, 1949 

